Skip to content
The Cowboy
Western Heritage Awards
National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Prix de West
Small Works, Great Wonders
TCAA
Annie Oakley Society
Marco Breitenbach
Saddlemaker

Marco Breitenbach

Fellow

About the Artist

Artwork by Marco Breitenbach

1 of 1

Ranch Cutter Saddle

Artwork No. 5

$28,000

For his fellowship piece, Breitenbach blended traditional California style carving with a modern-day cow horse/ranch cutting competition saddle. Sporting in-skirt rigging with hidden rivets, this saddle has a 13-inch-wide Buster Welch style fork covered in a one-piece gullet-fork cover with no welts or hidden stitching. Breitenbach recessed the seat leather into the fork and, to give it a balanced and smooth look, he also recessed the cantle binding and gave the horn a rolled edge. Scott Hardy fabricated the silver conchas and fender length adjustment plates — delicate details that Breitenbach feels help achieve a classy and traditional look.

Additional Images

Ranch Cutter Saddle
Ranch Cutter Saddle
Ranch Cutter Saddle
Ranch Cutter Saddle

Marco Breitenbach

Schweinfurt, Germany

Born and raised in northern Bavaria, Germany, Marco Breitenbach was influenced early on by his father, who had a keen interest in the American West. After crafting some small personal items in leather, Breitenbach began building saddles 23 years ago under the tutelage of a local saddlemaker. For the past 15 years, he has made numerous visits to the United States to study with master saddlemakers including Cary Schwarz and Dale Harwood, who — along with Chuck Stormes — he counts among his biggest influences. A reined cow horse competitor, Breitenbach continues to reside in northern Bavaria, where he lives with his wife and operates his own saddlemaking shop.